Literary notes about Poetaster (AI summary)
The term "poetaster" has been employed in literature as a label for a poet whose work is seen as inferior or pretentious, often used with a distinctly satirical edge. In several plays by Ben Jonson, for example, the character of the poetaster is fashioned deliberately as a target of ridicule to lampoon the insincere or poorly inspired writer, as seen when his name is adapted into a satirical role within the narrative [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] and even listed among contemptuously coined terms [6, 7]. Meanwhile, Alexander Pope deploys "poetaster" to contrast the divinely inspired true poet with those who merely mimic poetic craft without genuine inspiration [8, 9, 10]. Additionally, the term's broader cultural critique is echoed in other works, such as in an almost offhand remark noting that anyone educated was either a poet or a poetaster [11], underscoring its pervasive role in denouncing mediocrity in the poetic arts.
- This he hurriedly adapted to include the satirical characters suggested by "Poetaster," and fashioned to convey the satire of his reply.
— from Every Man in His Humor by Ben Jonson - In this attempt to forestall his enemies Jonson succeeded, and "Poetaster" was an immediate and deserved success.
— from The Alchemist by Ben Jonson - In "Poetaster," he lifts a whole satire out of Horace and dramatises it effectively for his purposes.
— from The Alchemist by Ben Jonson - In "Poetaster," he lifts a whole satire out of Horace and dramatises it effectively for his purposes.
— from Every Man in His Humor by Ben Jonson - This he hurriedly adapted to include the satirical characters suggested by "Poetaster," and fashioned to convey the satire of his reply.
— from The Alchemist by Ben Jonson - PARANTORY, (?) peremptory. PARCEL, particle, fragment (used contemptuously); article. PARCEL, part, partly. PARCEL-POET, poetaster.
— from The Alchemist by Ben Jonson - PARANTORY, (?) peremptory. PARCEL, particle, fragment (used contemptuously); article. PARCEL, part, partly. PARCEL-POET, poetaster.
— from Every Man in His Humor by Ben Jonson - The true poet was inspired by Apollo; but a poetaster like Mævius wrote without inspiration, as it were, in spite of the god.
— from The Rape of the Lock, and Other Poems by Alexander Pope - 188 Tate a poetaster of the generation before Pope.
— from The Rape of the Lock, and Other Poems by Alexander Pope - 34 Mævius a poetaster whose name has been handed down by Virgil and Horace.
— from The Rape of the Lock, and Other Poems by Alexander Pope - Everybody of any education was either a poet or a poetaster.
— from Bushido, the Soul of Japan by Inazo Nitobe
